5 Basketball Quotes for Off-season Motivation

The summer off-season is in full swing, players everywhere are looking to get better, stronger, faster, etc. With training, camps, and open gyms going on, players may wonder when it's all going to pay off. We're here to bring you some motivational quotes to remind you the grind isn't going to be easy, but it will definitely be worth it! 

"Never let the fear of failing discourage you from trying" -Sue Bird (4x WNBA Champion)

Many players may shy away from an opportunity to get better because they don't want to look bad or be worse than other players. But one of the biggest keys to getting better is taking on challenges and stepping out of your comfort zone to develop new skills. A great quote from WNBA legend Sue Bird, advising players to not back down from adversity and to remember you may learn the most from your failures!

"There's no such thing as coulda, shoulda, or woulda. If you shoulda and coulda, you woulda done it" -Pat Riley (9x NBA champion)

A bit of tongue twister here from NBA legend Pat Riley, but overall a great message. Players can come up with excuses why they didn't make it to the team workouts or to a training session. However do you really want to look back at this off-season and think that you could've done more to get better? The quote reminds you to put in the work day-in and day-out, great players train even when they don't want to.

"All the days that you wake up you have one job and that's to get better, every single day." -Derrick Rose (YOungest NBA MVp ever)

Derrick Rose's quote ties into one of the mantras here at Dr. Dish, Be Better Everyday. In the off-season you have the opportunity to get better everyday. Setting aside time to dedicate to working on your craft, this could be shooting, dribble, conditioning, lifting, etc. Anything to help you become a better player before next season. 

"Excellence is not a singular act, but a habit. You are what you repeatedly do."-Shaquille O'Neal (4x NBA champion)

Shaq certainly knows the work you have to put in to become a great basketball player and person. A mistake players can make this off-season is not consistently working on their game. Going to play a pickup game and thinking that is enough training for the week. Players fall in love with the game when they creating great training habits. Heading to the gym everyday with the mindset to continually work to get better. Perfecting skills and striving for excellence always.

"Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, and others make it happen" –Michael Jordan (6x NBA champion)

Similar to the Pat Riley quote, MJ touches on why the hardest workers are the most successful. Many players have big dreams of playing on varsity, in college, or professionally but to achieve these dreams the training must match your dreams. Reps on reps on reps to develop your skills. To make it happen it takes countless hours and you must give your all.  

Check out our other basketball quotes to help prepare you for games, comeback from tough losses and more!